Stopper plug valve for hot metal ladles

ABSTRACT

A valve for use in combination with the bottom of a hot metal ladle to enable molten metal to be discharged therefrom into a mold or the like with the valve being in the form of a stopper plug and including a longitudinal passage communicating with the discharge end of the valve and a transverse passage communicating with the longitudinal passage adjacent the upper end of the valve with the valve seat including a seat portion and a recessed portion communicating with the transverse passage to drain molten metal from around the valve when the valve is closed. The valve includes a sleeve of refractory material such as carbon or the like and an insert in the form of an annular band in the guide for the valve is associated with the carbon sleeve to provide for effective guiding of the valve. A supply of inert gas such as argon may be associated with the valve to prevent oxidation of the carbon sleeve and bearing ring and facilitate the sealing of the valve member.

[451 Mar. 28, 1972 [54] STOPPER PLUG. VALVE FOR HOT METAL LADLES Francis P. Sury, PO. Box 353, St. Clairsville, Ohio 43950 221 Filed: Oct. 24, 1969 211 Appl. No.: 869,041

[72] Inventor:

251/333, 277/72, 308/238 51 Int. Cl. ..F16c 27/00, F16c 33/00 581 Field ofSearch ..277/010. 6,237 x; 222/488,

FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 578,605 6/1959 Canada 137/240 Primary Examiner-M. Cary Nelson Assistant Examiner-Richard Gerard Attorney-Clarence A. O'Brien and Harvey B. Jacobson [57] ABSTRACT A valve for use in combination with the bottom of a hot metal ladle to enable molten metal to be discharged therefrom into a mold or the like with the valve being in the form of a stopper plug and including a longitudinal passage communicating with the discharge end of the valve and a transverse passage communicatingwith the longitudinal passage adjacent the upper end of the valve with the valve seat including a seat portion and a recessed portion communicating with the transverse passage to drain molten metal from around the valve when the valve is closed. The valve includes a sleeve of refractory material such as carbon or the like and an insert in the form of an annular band in the guide for the valve is associated with the carbon sleeve to provide for effective guiding of the valve. A supply of inert gas such as argon may be associated with the valve to prevent oxidation of the carbon sleeve and bearing ring and facilitate the sealing of the valve member.

5 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures P'ATENTED MAR 28 I972 INVENTOR.

Francis P Sury Fig.

vkww l STOPPER PLUG VALVE FOR HOT METAL LADLES The present invention generally relates to a valve for a hot metal ladle and more particularly to a stopper valve which is actuated from the bottom of the ladle by any suitable remotely controlled power means in which the valve is reciprocated from a lowered closed position to a raised open position.

An object of the present invention is to provide a stopper plug valve for hot metal ladles in which the valve is provided with a longitudinal axial passageway communicating with a transversely extending passageway disposed below the upper end of the valve member with the portion of the valve member above the transverse passageway engaging a valve seat and the portion of the valve seat below a predetermined distance from the upper end of the valve seat including a recess communicating with 'the transverse passageway to enable molten metal to be drained therefrom so that no molten metal will be residually retained in the valve seat which would cause buildup and incomplete seating of the valve.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a stopper plug valve in accordance with the preceding object in which the valve member includes a sleeve of carbon material or the like cushioned around the stem of the valve with the sleeve in engagement with an annular bearing ring of carbon or the like recessed into the pocket brick insert in the bottom of the ladle.

A further important object of the present invention is to provide a stopper plug valve in accordance with the preceding objects in which the annular bearing member is provided with a groove on the inner surface thereof communicated with a source of pressurized argon or other inert gas to prevent oxidation of the carbon sleeve and bearing member at high temperatures.

Yet another important object of this invention is to provide a stopper plug valve in which all of the components thereof are retained in position by a removable plate attached to the bottom of the ladle to enable removal of the valve member and the pocket brick having the valve seat and recess therein for ease of replacement of these components.

Still another important object of the present invention is to provide a stopper plug valve for hot metal ladles which operates without mechanical parts coming into contact with hot molten metal, slag or the like and which, due its particular construction, is capable of reuse rather than being replaced after each heat with the structure of the valve, the valve seat and the actuating mechanism therefor being relatively simple in construction, long lasting and dependable and relatively inexpensive to manufacture.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of the stopper plug valve of the present invention illustrating the manner in which it is associated with the bottom of a hot metal ladle.

FIG. 2 is a fragmental sectional view similar to FIG. 1 but illustrating the stopper plug valve in an elevated open position.

FIG. 3 is a transverse, sectional view, on an enlarged scale, taken substantially upon a plane passing along section line 3- 3 of FIG. 2 illustrating the specific structural details of the components of the valve structure.

FIG. 4 is a fragmental, sectional view, on an enlarged scale, taken substantially upon a plane passing along section line 4 4 of FIG. 1 illustrating the specific structural details of the sleeve on the valve stem and the annular bearing member associated therewith.

Referring now specifically to the drawings, the stopper plug valve of the present invention is generally designated by the numeral and is associated with the bottom of a hot metal ladle generally designated by the numeral 12 and which includes the usual external shell 14 having a lining of fire brick 16 or the like which is representative of a conventional hot metal ladle.

The shell 14 of the ladle is provided with an opening therein which is closed by a closure plate 18 detachably secured in position thereon by removable fasteners 20 such as conventional bolts or the like. Disposed above the plate 18 is an insert 22 constructed of refractory material and which is cast in one piece and may be generally referred to as a pocket brick. The insert 22 is received in an aperture or recess 24 defined in the fire brick liner 16 in which the insert 22 and the recess 24 receiving the same are upwardly tapering so that the insert 22 may be inserted from the bottom of the ladle when the closure plate 18 has been removed thus enabling ease of replacement of the insert or pocket brick 22 when desired.

The upper end of the insert 22 is provided with a downwardly tapering aperture or valve seat 26 which is generally frustoconical in configuration and which extends downwardly to a predetermined depth where it joins with and merges with an annular groovelike recess 28 which extends peripherally of the insert or pocket brick 22 with the upper edge of the recess 28 defining the lowermost limit of the valve seat 26 which has a relatively short vertical dimension for seating engagement with an inclined or outwardly tapering outer surface 30 on the valve head 32 of the valve 10. The external surface 30 of the valve head 32 cooperates with the valve seat 26 and forms a seal therebetween. The upper surface of the valve head 32 is convex as indicated by the numeral 34 so that material positioned thereon will flow off of the top surface of the valve 10.

The valve 10 also includes a longitudinally depending valve stem 36 whichis integral with the valve head 32 and of lesser diameter than the upper end of the valve head 32. The stem 36 is generally cylindrical in configuration and slidably received within a vertical bore or passageway 38 formed in the insert or pocket brick 22. The lower end of the valve stem 36 terminates below the removable closure plate 18 with the closure plate 18 including an aperture 40 receiving the valve stem 36 for reciprocatory movement.

The valve stem 36 includes a longitudinal passageway 42 therethrough with the upper end of the longitudinal passageway 42 communicating with a transversely extending passageway 44 which communicates with the inclined surface 30 of the valve head 32 at its juncture with the valve stem 36 as illustrated in FIG. 1. As illustrated in FIG. 1, when the valve 10 is in closed position, the bottom edge of the transverse passageway 44 is substantially continuous with and flush with the lowermost edge portion of the recess 28 so that any molten metal in the recess below the valve seat 26 will drain from the recess 28 down through the transverse passageway 44 and iongitudinal passageway 42 and be discharged out from the lower end of the valve stem 36.

Disposed in the valve stem 36 adjacent the end thereof having the transverse passageway 44, there is provided an annular recess 46 which receives an annular sleeve 48 of refractory material such as carbon or the like of one piece construction. Disposed between the carbon sleeve 48 and the bottom surface of the recess 46 in the valve stem 36 is a resilient filler 50 to enable relative expansion between the sleeve 48 and the valve stem 36. The filler 50 is of a resilient material capable of being compressed slightly without exerting radial forces on the carbon ring 48 thereby enabling the valve stem 36 to expand due to the heat produced therein by the passage of hot molten metal whereas the carbon sleeve 48 has a very low coefiicient of expansion, the resilient filler 50 will enable relative movement between the stem 36 and the carbon sleeve 48 without rupturing or damaging the carbon sleeve 48.

The insert 22 is provided with an annular groove 52 adjacent the upper end thereof in alignment with the carbon sleeve 48. An annular bearing member 54 is disposed in the sleeve 22 and is also constructed of carbon or similar material. A resilient filler may also be provided behind the annular ring 54 that is, between the inner wall of the groove 52 and the annular ring 54 if desired. The carbon ring 54 cooperates with the carbon sleeve 48 to provide an effective seal for preventing passage of molten metal downwardly therebetween.

The inner surface of the bearing ring 54 where it engages the carbon sleeve 48 is provided with an annular groove 56 communicated with a supply pipe or passage 58 extending through the bottom plate 18 and communicated with a source of pressurized inert gas such as argon or the like so that pressurized argon may be discharged from the groove 56 to prevent oxidation of the carbon sleeve 48 and the carbon bearing ring 54 due to the high temperatures thereof. The argon gas will thus effectively lengthen the life of the carbon sleeve and carbon ring and at the same time more effectively seal the space between the valve stem and the vertical bore 38 in the insert or pocket brick 22.

The lower end of the valve stem 36 is provided with a recess 60 having a split clamp 62 received therein. The annular ring 62 which may be of one piece construction or a split clamp is provided with diametrically opposed projecting pins 64 which receive the bifurcated ends 66 of a lifting yoke or fork 68 that is pivotally supported intermediate its ends at a pivot point or bolt 70 supported on a depending bracket 72 carried by the supporting plate 18 or the like. The opposite end of the lifting fork or lever 68 is attached to a power cylinder generally designated by the numeral 72 by the use of a pivot pin or bolt 74. The power piston and cylinder assembly 72 is pivotally attached to the bottom shell 14 of the ladle by a pivot pin or bolt 76 or the like and may be either single or double acting with a suitable hose or hoses 78 connected thereto so that the piston and cylinder assembly may be used to actuate the valve to power it open and permit gravity and the weight of the molten metal on top of it to close it or to power it open and closed as determined appropriate by requirements for each individual installation. If the valve is to be powered in both a closed and opened condition, then the recess 60 in the valve stem should be in the form of a groove so that the annular member or split clamp 62 will be retained in position thereon. Other operating mechanisms may be employed for opening and closing the valve including manually operated mechanical linkages and the like.

For stabilizing the valve during reciprocation thereof, generally triangular gusset type guides 80 may be provided at circumferentially spaced points on the bottom plate 18 with the inner edge of the gussets 80 being disposed adjacent the peripheral surface of the valve stem 36 which will retain the valve stem for longitudinal movement in a substantially straight direction. Also, a tub or pipe 82 having a plurality of orifices in the top surface thereof may be oriented around the valve stem 36 immediately below the closure plate 18 and in alignment with the aperture 40 therein for discharging argon gas upwardly around the valve stem to further serve to prevent oxidation of the valve stem and carbon sleeve and to also further effectively seal the valve stem. The tube 82 is communicated to a source of pressurized argon or other inert gas through a tube or hose 84 with the hose or tube 58 as well as the hose or tube 84 being controlled by a suitable control valve or the like.

The valve will normally be in closed position with a relatively large quantity of molten metal disposed in the ladle. When it is desired to discharge molten metal into a mold or for whatever purpose desired, the valve is actuated so that it is moved vertically upwardly to a position generally illustrated in FIG. 2 at which time molten metal will flow down between the valve seat 26 and the inclined valve surface 30 into the recess 28 and down through the passageway 44 and passageway 42 to discharge from the lower end thereof. Even if slag or other material has accumulated in the bottom of the ladle, hot molten metal will still flow downwardly inasmuch as upward movement of the valve head 32 will assure communication of the hot molten metal with the passageway between the valve seat 26 and the valve surface 30. When the desired quantity of molten metal has been obtained, the valve is moved to a closed position or permitted to move by gravity with the weight of the metal on top of the valve head moving the valve to a closed position as illustrated in FIG. 1. After the valve surface 30 has seated against the valve seat 26, the molten metal in the recess 28 as well as any molten metal in the transverse passageway and the longitudinal passageway 42 will drain through the discharge end of the passageway 42 thus retaining the passageway clear of residual molten metal which would tend to harden and solidify and build up after which the valve would not seat properly. By providing the recess 28 and the drainage therefor, there will be substantially less buildup of hardened metal on the valve seat which would tend to preclude complete closing of the valve 10. The carbon sleeve and carbon ring form an effective seal for the molten metal to prevent it from running downwardly around the valve stem and the argon gas effectively prevents oxidation of the carbon sleeve and carbon ring and also oxidation of the valve stem as well as effectively seal the valve stem. The valve member will be constructed of any suitable refractory material as is the insert 22 and various mechanisms may be employed for opening and closing the valve member which is capable of repeated use in a ladle so that the stopper valve does not have to be replaced after each heat. Also, the passage 44 may be provided with any suitable number of bores communicating with the periphery of the valve head 32. Further, the shape of the valve seat 26 and valve 30 may be varied such as by making the cooperating surfaces curved or partially spherical in configuration.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A valve assembly for installation in the bottom of a hot metal ladle comprising an insert member having a vertical bore therethrough, valve seat means at the upper end of the bore, a valve member reciprocally mounted in the bore and including a head operatively associated with the valve seat means for closing the bore when resting against the valve seat means, said valve member including a stem depending below the bore for enabling vertical reciprocation of the valve member between a lowered closed position and a raised open position, said valve member including a passageway therethrough having a lower end communicating with the lower end of the valve member and an upper end communicating with the space between the valve member and the valve seat for conveying molten metal when the valve member is in the open position and draining molten metal from around the valve member when the valve member is in the closed position, said valve stem including an external sleeve of carbon material at the upper end thereof adjacent the juncture of the valve head with the stem, said insert member including an annular bearing ring of carbon for sealing relation with the carbon sleeve while permitting reciprocation thereof.

2. The structure as defined in claim 1 wherein said bearing ring includes a peripheral groove on the surface thereof facing the sleeve on the stem, a source of pressurized inert gas communicating with said groove in the bearing ring for introducing such gas between the carbon sleeve and carbon ring to reduce oxidation of the carbon at high temperature and provide an effective seal therebetween.

3. The structure as defined in claim 1 together with an annular tube encircling the valve stem at the lower end of the insert member with the tube having a plurality of openings therein facing upwardly around the periphery of the stem, said tube communicating with a source of pressurized inert gas for discharging such gas upwardly around the periphery of the valve stem.

4. For use in combination with a receptacle adapted to receive flowable material, a valve assembly comprising an insert having a bore therethrough and adapted to be disposed in the wall of the receptacle, a valve member reciprocally supported by said insert and including a stem guidingly disposed in said bore with one end of the stem extending outwardly of the bore to enable reciprocation of the valve member, the inner end of said bore including a valve seat, said valve member including a valve seat engaging surface to close the bore when engaged with the valve seat, said valve member including passage means communicating with the outer end portion of the valve stem and the inner end portion thereof inwardly of the valve seat engaging surface for discharge of material when the valve member is open and drainage of any material disposed outwardly of the valve seat when the valve member is in closed position, said insert and valve member being constructed of refractory material for use in a molten metal ladle, said valve stem and bore having a peripheral recess therein with the recesses being in registry, and an annular insert of high density carbon in each peripheral recess for guiding and sealing relation.

5. For use in combination with a receptacle adapted to receive flowable material, a valve assembly comprising a carbon bearing insert having a bore therethrough and adapted to be disposed in the wall of the receptacle, a valve member reciprocally supported in said bore by said insert and controlling flow therethrough, said insert and said valve member defining s space therebetween, inert gas means communicating with said space for introducing inert gas between said insert and said valve member to reduce oxidation thereof due to high temperatures encountered when the flowable material passes through said bore, said space including a peripheral groove on a surface portion of said insert and surrounding said valve member to permit intoduction of the inert gas around said valve member, the surface portion of said insert being in sliding relation with said valve member. 

1. A valve assembly for installation in the bottom of a hot metal ladle comprising an insert member having a vertical bore therethrough, valve seat means at the upper end of the bore, a valve member reciprocally mounted in the bore and including a head operatively associated with the valve seat means for closing the bore when resting against the valve seat means, said valve member including a stem depending below the bore for enabling vertical reciprocation of the valve member between a lowered closed position and a raised open position, said valve member including a passageway therethrough having a lower end communicating with the lower end of the valve member and an upper end communicating with the space between the valve member and the valve seat for conveying molten metal when the valve member is in the open position and draining molten metal from around the valve member when the valve member is in the closed position, said valve stem including an external sleeve of carbon material at the upper end thereof adjacent the juncture of the valve head with the stem, said insert member including an annular bearing ring of carbon for sealing relation with the carbon sleeve while permitting reciprocation thereof.
 2. The structure as defined in claim 1 wherein said bearing ring includes a peripheral groove on the surface thereof facing the sleeve on the stem, a source of pressurized inert gas communicating with said groove in the bearing ring for introducing such gas between the carbon sleeve and carbon ring to reduce oxidation of the carbon at high temperature and provide an effective seal therebetween.
 3. The structure as defined in claim 1 together with an annular tube encircling the valve stem at the lower end of the insert member with the tube having a plurality of openings therein facing upwardly around the periphery of the stem, said tube communicating with a source of pressurized inert gas for discharging such gas upwardly around the periphery of the valve stem.
 4. For use in combination with a receptacle adapted to receive flowable material, a valve assembly comprising an insert having a bore therethrough and adapted to be disposed in the wall of the receptacle, a valve member reciprocally supported by said insert and including a stem guidingly disposed in said bore with one end of the stem extending outwardly of the bore to enable reciprocation of the valve member, the inner end of said bore including a valve seat, said valve member including a valve seat engaging surface to close the bore when engaged with the valve seat, said valve member including passage means communicating with the outer end portion of the valve stem and the inner end portion thereof inwardly of the valve seat engaging surface for discharge of material when the valve member is open and drainage of any material disposed outwardly of the valve seat when the valve member is in closed position, said insert and valve member being constructed of refractory material for use in a molten metal ladle, said valve stem and bore having a peripheral recess therein with the recesses being in registry, and an annular insert of high density carbon in each peripheral recess for guiding and sealing relation.
 5. For use in combination with a receptacle adapted to receive flowable material, a valve assembly comprising a carbon bearing insert having a bore therethrough and adapted to be disposed in the wall of the receptacle, a valve member reciprocally supported in said bore by said insert and controlling flow therethrough, said insert and said valve member defining a space therebetween, inert gas means communicating with said space for introducing inert gas between said insert and said valve member to reduce oxidation thereof due to high temperatures encountered when the flowable material passes through said bore, said space including a peripheral groove on a surface portion of said insert and surrounding said valve member to permit introduction of the inert gas around said valve member, the surface portion of said insert being in sliding relation with said valve member. 